Earlier this week I ran an article from spin bowling guru Menno Gazendam. It got one reader so fired up that he sent me a huge email reply packed with tips.

It was so good I just had to share it with you.

So thanks to Shiva, an NCA qualified coach in India for the following:

Technical

• Have a smooth and economical approach to the crease.
• Align yourself properly on the load up or gathering the action, by aiming properly on which length & line to bowl.  
• Give more rip to the ball on the release and stay on top of your height with proper weight transfer from back leg to front leg (legs stretched to the minimum - shoulder width on the release - front leg not to collapse - should stay firm)
• Pivot your trunk so that on load up, one side of your hip faces the batter and after release the other side faces for a split second before you get to move to follow through.
• Follow through in line with the target and get ready for catching/fielding of your own bowling.

Tactical

• Understand what type of bowler you are (whether tossing type or pushing through the air type) and assemble yourself to the conditions prevailing so that you are going to build pressure on the batsman through setting attacking or defensive field according to the match situation.
• Always place right fielders at "with the spin" batsman playing areas.
• Know how the wicket is behaving (whether the ball is turning or not off the wicket, if turning what is the degree of turn and its bounce) and place your field accordingly
• On the start of your run up, be sure what you are going to bowl the next ball, be flexible in changing the field according to the game and a particular type of batsman (attacking/defending)
• Have deep breathing in and out before you start your run up. Follow your breathing always during the game - learn to relax.

Physical  

• Do lots of flexibility stretches and body weight strengthening  exercises for whole body  (particularly band exercises for the shoulders) instead of lifting heavy irons (for more on that point click here – Ed).
• Take care of your fingers/wrists so that they always stay fresh and ready to give nice rip to the ball.

• Always keep coming at the batsman; have desire to pick up wickets through building pressure on the batter
• Have a big heart. You will be hit at times but you can always have the last laugh by getting the hitter out by fooling him though your guile.
• Have discipline in your work ethics; practice hitting length and line while ripping the ball hard against both left and right hander.
• Be committed to your roles in the team; whether you’re expected to attack or restrict the run flow, be responsible so that you accept constructive criticisms and try to get better always.
• Be mentally tough so that nobody can break your self confidence and self belief of putting the ball on right areas on any pressure situations. Even if the batter hits you all around the park!

• Drink lots of water ( about 4-5 liters daily for adults)
• have lots of food items which can make your body flexible, supple and strong (more on how to do that here – ed)
• Sleep 8 hours during the night. Before the game sleep for 10 hours.
• Have positive friends and be humble on all times whether you r on a high or on a low.

If you have your own tips on spin bowling, or any other cricket skill , then drop us a line. 

image credit: andrewhall